3 Tips to Combine Watercolor and Gouache Like a Pro

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Confused as to what the similarities and differences are between watercolor and gouache? What are the main things to have in mind when combining these two painting mediums in one same piece in order to achieve the best outcome?


It's no secret that watercolor and gouache can work amazingly well together. This said, it can be difficult to get the most out of their combination if we're unaware of the differences between them, as well as how we can combine their distinctive characteristics to create balanced pieces that allow both of them to shine simultaneously.

Learning tips and tricks from experienced artists can definitely open up our horizons to make our ideas come to life more successfully, and this is why I've asked the amazingly talented Haydn Symons to write a post for us!


In today’s blog post, U.K.-based artist Haydn Symons helps us understand the similarities and differences between watercolor and gouache, and why they are so compatible. He'll also be sharing some of his expert tips that will help us successfully integrate both mediums into one great-looking piece. 

Haydn is a skilled freelance illustrator and designer with a vast experience working with watercolor and gouache. Throughout the years, he has developed a very striking art style and currently works with clients worldwide within the editorial, publishing and advertising spaces.

Though watercolor and gouache are his favorite painting mediums, Haydn is a multi-passionate artist that constantly explores different drawing and painting techniques, which is something I really believe in myself.

Without any further ado, let’s get into Haydn’s blog post!

Make sure to visit his website to check out more of his amazing work and follow him on social media. Links will be provided at the end.
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3 Tips to Create Amazing Artwork Combining Watercolor and Gouache

by Haydn Symons

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Combining watercolor and gouache can be a hard nut to crack, especially if you’re new to either of these painting mediums or to the world of art. In this post, I'll be sharing the main similarities and differences between them, as well as why they are perfect for each other. I'll also be providing three pro tips to keep in mind when using both of these painting mediums in one same piece.

If you want to level up your use of gouache and watercolor, look no further than this blog post!

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Similarities and Differences Between Watercolor and Gouache

The main similarity between watercolor and gouache is that they are both water-soluble. Both of these painting mediums can be reactivated with water once they've dried. On the other hand, when we work with acrylics or oils, we can certainly lay down subsequent layers of paint to add to or further enhance the look of previous layers, but it will be impossible to modify the layers in and of themselves once they've dried. 

In terms of differences, watercolor is transparent, while gouache is opaque. Most of the time (depending on the thickness of the paint layer), when watercolor is placed on paper, we're able to see the underlying paper through the paint. Conversely, when gouache is placed on paper, its thickness and opaqueness covers up the surface fully unless it's been heavily diluted with water. 


Check out Erika's Watercolor vs. Gouache blog post to see examples of the same subject painted with both mediums. 

Same pear painted with both watercolor and gouache. Illustrations by Erika Lancaster.

​Many famous artists have used gouache to produce ground-breaking work, from Edward Hopper and Henri Matisse to Paul Klee. Famous watercolor artists include J. M. W. Turner, John Singer Sargent to Vincent Van Gogh, just to name a few.

Matisse’s famous paper cut outs were created using gouache!


I love painting all kinds of subjects (portraits, landscapes, etc.) integrating both of these mediums, as they mesh together so well. I’ve become quite addicted to combining them!

​Check out this book cover illustration of mine, as an example.

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Combine These Two Painting Mediums Effectively By Doing the Following

Winsor & Newton's Designer's Gouache Set of 6 Colors

Winsor & Newton's Cotman 12 Tube Set

Even though watercolor and gouache can work very well together, to create balanced and visually striking artworks, it's essential to have in mind a few things that will ensure we're playing to each of their strengths.

​We want the two mediums to complement and enhance the other harmoniously, and develop a sense of contrast that will create visual interest. 

Tip 1. Use watercolor first and gouache second

As previously explained, gouache is the opaque sister of watercolor.  Because gouache will easily cover up watercolor, but not the other way around, it's essential to plan out which areas to paint in with each medium. Gouache is the most dominant of the two and you want to make sure that it doesn't overtake the areas painted with watercolor. 

Watercolor is delicate and provides a transparent glow, while gouache is punchy and solid. By giving thought to how you'll combine them, you'll allow each to shine in its own way and create a more interesting, balanced piece.

​Give thought to how you can complement them, depending on the subject you'll be painting. 

It’s a good idea to start your painting with a watercolor base, which is particularly helpful if you've created a preliminary sketch underneath as you'll still be able to see it through the watercolor layer(s). 

Another idea is to use watercolor to create a warm or cool underpainting for your gouache to build upon. You can also create a background using watercolors that will then be added to with gouache. Finally, you can start with a wash of watercolor to simply break up the dreaded white space.

St. Basil Cathedral. Illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!

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Tip 2. Create depth by using a higher color saturation and level of detail in the foreground

The characteristics of these painting mediums can be combined to create an amazing sense of depth in a piece!

If you’re painting a landscape, for example, you can create depth by painting the sky using watercolor and your foreground elements in gouache. Because gouache is thicker and more opaque than watercolor, it will add a bold, sharp punch to closer elements, creating the illusion of these being closer to the viewer. 

Because elements further away from us are usually blurry and less saturated in color, adding further details to our foreground elements using gouache can really enhance the sense of depth in a piece. 

Walter White. Illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!

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Tip 3. Use thick watercolor paper or canvas

Because you’ll be using water throughout the painting process, working on thick watercolor paper or watercolor canvas is essential. Using thin, non-suitable paper will make the painting process difficult, as it will warp easily. 

I enjoy using Seawhite’s Watercolor Paper in 350 gsm to create my illustrations, whether that be for commissioned work or personal work. Whether you choose to go for this brand or others, I highly recommend using paper that is at least 300 gsm in thickness.

Another alternative is painting directly onto watercolor canvas, as this paper is already pre-stretched and will not result in warping and buckling.

Singapore Map. Illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!

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*Bonus Tip: Use plenty of water when creating watercolor paint mixtures, but leave gouache mixtures thick and undiluted

​One of the major errors that I have come across when combining these two mediums is making them fight against each other by adding too much water to both. 

To ensure we're creating a balanced outcome (and to make the painting process go much smoothly), use plenty of water within the watercolor mixtures and only a bit in the gouache mixtures. This will allow the two mediums' contrasting characteristics of translucency vs. opaqueness to really stand out and contrast with each other, creating a ton of visual interest. 

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Finally, make sure to have fun!

I hope you've enjoyed this blog post to help you create stunning artworks combining watercolor and gouache, and encourage you to give it a go! 

Remember to have fun! When creating art we can get bogged down with advice and technicalities, and loose the whole essence of what makes art so enjoyable.

Keep practicing and you'll be onto a winner!

Cheers!

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For a list of my favorite art supplies and books, go here. 

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How have you tried combining these two painting mediums yourself? Are there any tips you’d like to share?

Haydn and I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. 


A huge thanks to Haydn, for being so generous and sharing all of this useful information with us! He’s definitely inspired me to combine these two painting mediums more in my own work!

To find out more about more about Haydn and his work, visit his website/portfolio at www.haydnsymons.com

Also, follow Haydn on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydnsymons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haydnsym
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydnsymonsillustration
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